Garrett wouldn’t take a chance where his brother was concerned. The first order of business would be finding out just what role the senator had played in their mother’s disappearing act. Had his father hidden the letters—and the whereabouts of his mother—out of concern for his sons . . . or his political career? One way or another, Garrett would discover the truth.
His brain was on overload, and his gut ached with his need to exact justice somehow. But at the moment, it wasn’t his perceived injustices he was worried about. Nor Luke’s. Garrett would always worry about his little brother, but Luke was strong and capable, and when the time was right, he’d deal with the fallout from this revelation with his usual good humor and determination.
With a jolt, Garrett’s gaze fell on Peg. His aunt had apparently stood up for his mother when no one else would. Even now, after Amanda was gone, Peg carried the burden. If what she had told him was true, he wouldn’t rest until he found a way to make this whole damn thing right . . . for his mother and Aunt Peg.
He stepped closer and laid his hands gently on her shoulders, trying to convey with a touch what he couldn’t possibly put into words. After a moment, he returned to his chair and sat, bracing his elbows on the desk, giving her as much time as she needed. Finally she dried her eyes.
He studied her and tried one more time to detect any duplicity within her. Her eyes, though glistening with moisture, were as clear and honest as the last rays of the Idaho sunshine outside her window. He shook his head as he drummed his fingers on the desk. “You need to know that I’d have come if one of her letters had reached me. I don’t know what happened to them . . . but I intend to find out. If the senator is responsible, he’ll be held accountable.”
A fleeting smile told him what he already knew—it was too late to change what had happened. “But you must have received the letter telling you of Amanda’s death and the will, right?”
He laughed mockingly. “I found it accidentally in my father’s desk drawer.”
Garrett leaned back in his chair. If not for that one improbable find, it would be hard to believe his father had hidden or destroyed hundreds of notes and letters in order to perpetuate the lie about their mother. Garrett had lost respect for his father during his troubled teen years. Though they’d healed the hairline fracture in their relationship in recent years, nothing could regenerate the bond that had been destroyed. As hard as he tried, Garrett couldn’t dredge up an iota of loyalty for the man. He should be innocent until proven guilty, but deep down where the pain of his mother’s desertion throbbed to life, Garrett put the puzzle pieces together and handed down a guilty verdict.
Still, he needed to know for sure. Needed proof. Should he call his father first? Or his PI buddy who was going to love digging in the senator’s sandbox?
“There’s something else.” Peg opened the envelope and pulled out some papers. “You’ll want to read the will.”
Garrett accepted the document she handed him, though it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He turned the pages slowly, reading every word, digesting their meaning. When he was finished, he let it fall into his lap as he looked up and met her steady gaze.
“She left everything she owned to Luke and me.”
Peg slowly bobbed her head.
“Who else knows about this?” Was this bombshell the reason Rachel and Jonathan had been less than hospitable?
“No one but the two of us and Amanda’s attorney. That’s the way she wanted it, with her half of the resort run by me until one or both of you stepped up to claim your inheritance.”
“I’LL HAVE TO contact Luke, but as far as I’m concerned, this place is yours. I’m not going to take any part of it away from you.” Garrett handed her back the will. Everything was happening too fast. He needed time to think.
“It’s what Amanda wanted. It’s what she worked for every day of her life. At least stay a few days before you make up your mind. Maybe you’ll find something here worth staying for.” Peg took the document and returned it with the envelope to her desk drawer.
Garrett took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. A new contentment left him feeling lighter. The silver-haired lady across the desk seemed to hold no bitterness toward him—no greed for Amanda’s half of the resort. This apparently selfless woman only wanted to honor the memory of her sister by welcoming him like a long-lost son. The barriers around Garrett’s heart wobbled a bit. Calm nipped at the edges of his frayed nerves as he considered the idea of spending a day or two here on this remote mountain. It just might do him some good. “Yeah. Maybe that’d be okay . . . Aunt Peg.” The name came out naturally, as though almost three decades hadn’t separated them.
A pleased smile slowly spread across her face, and she nodded. “All right then. I’ll get you set up in a room and have your bags brought in. Dinner will be ready at six o’clock. Make yourself at home.”
Garrett rose. “One more thing—how did my mother die?”
“Heart attack. Her drug use weakened her heart. It happened so fast. She didn’t suffer.”
Garrett took her hand in his, aware how hard it had been to answer him. “Thanks for telling me . . . and for the warm welcome. You didn’t have to be nearly as gracious under the circumstances, but it means a lot.” Sensing her need to be alone, he gave her a warm hug and strode from the office with Cowboy at his heels.
A surprising tranquility had settled over him. As if he had the key to the mystery—the answer to the questions that burned inside him. He had to keep reminding himself that there were two sides to every story—that his father deserved to be heard. But with every passing moment, Garrett became more certain of the validity of Peg’s story. He would wait for adequate proof before confronting his father, but it was almost as though Garrett had known all along.
He dreaded calling Luke and considered putting it off for a couple of days, but his little brother would worry if Garrett didn’t at least let him know he’d arrived safely. Still, how was he going to explain the whole sordid mess over the phone?
Garrett stepped outside onto the deck that ran the length of the building and stopped at the top of the steps, leaning his hip against the rail. Cowboy continued down the steps to find a spot in the shade. The creek bubbled along its winding path not too far away. Timbered slopes rolled down toward the meadow, alive with bachelor buttons, black-eyed Susan, and about a hundred other varieties of wildflowers. The tops of other mountains filled the skyline as the sun slowly marched toward obscurity.
His mother had written to him and Luke. If Aunt Peg could be believed, Amanda had wanted to be a part of their lives. Hell, he hadn’t even gotten his PI friend started on the investigation to confirm Aunt Peg’s story, and already he was free of the debilitating weight he’d been carrying around since he was about twelve years old. Was it because he wanted to believe it so badly? Or because he’d suspected there was something off in his father’s handling of the whole event?
Quick footsteps drew his attention over his shoulder.
Rachel, dressed now in tight-fitting jeans rolled up to show slender ankles, a blue calico button-up shirt, and red canvas shoes, barreled out onto the deck, her head down, oblivious to his proximity. She was parallel with him, one foot poised to take the first step off the deck, when he cleared his throat to warn her of his presence. Her head whipped toward him, her eyes widened, and her saucy lips puckered into a perfect O.
As quickly as she made eye contact with him, her head turned back toward the steps. She was clearly off balance, and her gaze darted frantically toward the railing. Only problem was, he stood between her and the railing, and she would obviously rather tumble down the steps than chance touching him in her bid to regain her footing.
At the last second, Garrett snagged her waist with one arm and swung her away from the edge, up against his chest.
With a small squeak, the entire length of her body collided with his. Her blush was crimson and instantaneous, priceless considering her earlier bold behavio
r. Soft, full breasts crushed against his chest, even as she tried to push herself away. Her thighs brushed his, and her enticingly toned stomach leaned against a part of him that awoke with a fully formed agenda of its own.
Her wavy red hair came to just beneath his chin, and the sweet scent of jasmine warred with his practicality as it swirled around him. He set her down a safe distance from the steps. Without thinking, he dipped his head to breathe in her honeyed aroma.
She expelled a furious gasp and jammed her palms against his chest. “What do you think you’re doing? Let go of me, you Neanderthal!”
What the hell was he doing? Garrett raised his head to face the heated anger smoldering in her gorgeous green eyes. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling like a fool. Nor could he help wanting to hold on to her for a little while longer.
Wanted to—but he let her go anyway, trying not to take offense as she backed a half dozen steps away. “I don’t bite, you know. I was only trying to keep you from breaking that pretty little neck of yours. You have nothing to fear from me.”
Rachel pulled herself up straight. “I’m not afraid of you.” The way her eyes focused somewhere on his chest seemed to say otherwise.
“Okay. Look, obviously we got off on the wrong foot. Maybe we could start over again. I’m thinking of sticking around for a couple of weeks.” He quirked an eyebrow, waiting to see how she would take that news.
“A couple of weeks?”
He chuckled, having gotten the expected response. “There you go again . . . making me feel welcome.”
“You’re not a guest.” Her tone clearly implied that this was possibly the worst news she could have received.
Garrett didn’t fully understand why he was yanking her chain since he’d planned to stay only a day or two, but he wasn’t ready to let her off the hook yet.
“Aunt Peg asked me to stick around for a while. I’m considering.” He turned back to the gorgeous landscape beyond the deck, leaning his weight against the railing. He could almost hear the explosion building within her.
“Aunt Peg? Well, it didn’t take you long to figure out who to cozy up to, did it? But why? For that matter, why are you here at all? Peg doesn’t owe you anything. Showing up here, after Amanda is gone, only causes more sorrow. Don’t you get it? Amanda wanted to reconcile with you and your brother. You missed out. Now go back to wherever you came from. Peg is the only one who wants you here, and trust me, you’re not doing her any favors by hanging around.” The words rushed out as though she’d been holding them in for a long time. Her chest heaved with her effort to catch her breath, and tears rushed to her eyes but didn’t fall.
Garrett caught her in a sideways glance. “If I thought I was causing Aunt Peg to suffer, I’d leave in a heartbeat. I think you’re the only one who doesn’t want me here. You can’t forgive me for what you see as my callous mistreatment of Amanda Harding.”
“Her name was Amanda Williams. She stopped using her married name a long time ago. Can’t imagine why she wouldn’t want to be associated with the Harding family.” Scorn burned hot in her eyes as she stared him down.
Maybe he should tell her he’d never received one of the letters his mother supposedly wrote in all those years. It was highly unlikely that she’d believe him, though. He was just another man passing through her town—one who’d managed to get on her bad side without even trying. On the other hand, that she’d obviously loved Amanda when he couldn’t, automatically granted her access to a soft spot in his heart.
Suddenly, he wanted to get to know this woman more than anything in the world. He wanted her to understand how badly it had affected him to lose his mother. And he wanted her to know how fast he would have camped on their doorstep if he’d received even one of Amanda’s letters.
Clearly, the only way Rachel would change her mind about what kind of a man he was, would be if she spent some time with him . . . got to know him. He was on the verge of pleading his case when he caught the contempt that furrowed her brow and curled her lip. It was obvious that she despised him. If he told her the sky was blue right now, she probably wouldn’t believe him. But . . . maybe there was something he could do to increase his odds.
Rachel backed another couple of steps and started to turn.
“Tell you what. I’ll make you a deal.” Garrett watched her casually, schooling his expression to play down his sudden and significant need for her to hear him out.
She stopped, her gaze searching his distrustfully. “What kind of a deal?”
“It’s Saturday. You give me the next two days—show me around this place that was Amanda’s home. If you still hate my guts by Tuesday morning, I’ll leave.”
Melodious laughter fell from her lips. “That’s all I’d have to do?”
“One more little thing. You have to be nice to me.” Garrett nearly laughed at the look of abject horror that crossed her face.
An unladylike snort escaped and she slammed her hands on her hips. “How nice?”
“Well, hell, don’t you know how to be pleasant? Lay off the snarky comments. Be polite. Pretend you like me. We’ll spend a couple enjoyable days getting to know each other while you show off what Amanda and Peg built on this mountain.”
Rachel crossed her arms in front of her. “How do I know you’ll really leave?”
“Scout’s honor.”
“Right. Like you were ever a Scout.” She narrowed her eyes. “Just one thing wrong with that plan. I work for a living. I can’t let my other chores slide to babysit some city boy.”
Garrett’s ego cringed at that description. Was that really how she saw him? “Now, see? That was a perfect example of not being nice.” He scowled until she looked away. “Anyway, I’m sure if I asked Aunt Peg, she’d arrange for someone to take over your duties so that you could help me out for two days.”
Rachel chortled. “Peg doesn’t show preferential treatment to anyone, so if you can get her to agree . . . you’re on. But if not . . . you leave today.” She turned toward the door again. “I wouldn’t bother unpacking if I were you.”
He chuckled. “See you at dinner, Rachel, and don’t get too cocky. The game hasn’t even started yet.”
She disappeared inside without another word. Garrett shook his head and blew out his breath. What in the hell just happened? He could no longer deny the attraction he felt for her, but this was the act of a crazy, desperate man. Yep—that seemed to describe him right down to his boots, all right. Still, a small spark of resolve swelled within him at the thought of the challenge ahead. He had to admit that he’d likely be going down in flames unless he came up with a plan to reinvent himself in her eyes. That wasn’t going to be easy because Rachel held her bitterness with both hands, and she was determined to see him out of here in two days . . . or sooner. That meant he had very little time. He’d have to move fast.
First thing on the agenda was to search out Aunt Peg and find out how she felt about rescheduling the help so that Garrett could spend two days with the lovely, though sharp-tongued, Rachel. While he was at it, he’d better ask Peg to keep the details of his mother’s will quiet for the time being. If his best guess was right, Rachel would waste no time in putting this mountain behind her if she learned he might actually be her boss.
Chapter Four
RACHEL STOPPED JUST inside the door to let herself fall apart. How would she ever get through the next few days? Peg had practically begged her to treat Garrett Harding like the honored guest he would have been if his mother was still alive. Now, he’d offered her an easy way out if she’d show him around and be nice to him for two days. It sounded simple enough, but it had taken a surprising amount of effort to stand her ground and agree to Garrett’s proposition.
Her breathing started to slow as she leaned against the wall. There was no chance Peg would concede to trade her shift out, but it would have been worth it to get Garrett out of their lives in two days. She wouldn’t even consider whether she could have been nice to the egomaniac for that long, beca
use it was probably a challenge that was doomed from the beginning.
Why did she have to literally bump into him anyway? The resort was big enough that she should be able to stay out of his way. Sure, he’d saved her from a nasty tumble, but then he’d held her too close . . . for too long . . . and she hadn’t stopped him quickly enough. The heat of a telltale blush crept up her neck and into her face. Damn it! She hated him. So why had his arms around her been so comfortable and made her feel so safe? She drew a ragged breath and leaned her head against the door. He was going to drive her crazy if he stayed for more than two days.
Rachel pushed away from the wall and made a beeline for the stairs and her room on the second floor. She had a few minutes before she needed to join Dory in the kitchen to help with dinner. That would be enough time to change and wash away Garrett’s musky scent so she wouldn’t have to relive her embarrassing moment every time she breathed.
Five minutes later, clean and clothed in khaki slacks, a salmon-colored T-shirt, and wedge-soled sandals, she closed her bedroom door and skipped down the stairs. It smelled as if Dory’s famous pot roast was on the menu tonight. As she passed Peg’s office, she caught a glimpse of her talking to Garrett. Rachel couldn’t help wishing Peg would put the outsider in his place firmly enough that he’d take his bag and his dog and go home.
Well, actually, he could leave Cowboy. The dog at least was well-mannered and didn’t talk all the time. That put a smile on her face as she entered the kitchen.
“There you are.” Dory’s consistently cheery voice came from halfway inside the oven where she was testing the temperature of the meat. “There’s a new guest in the house tonight. With you, Peg, Jonathan, and Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, that makes six. When you set the table, be sure to put the new hunk next to you.”
“He’s not a guest,” Rachel mumbled. But was Garrett a hunk? He was attractive, she’d give him that, but as soon as she’d discovered who he was, he ceased to be anything but the detestable man who’d made Amanda cry once a month like clockwork and probably other times in between that no one had known about. Rachel had learned that outward appearance usually meant zilch. What was inside made the man, and as far as she could tell, Garrett didn’t have it in that department. “Why would I want him to sit by me?” She returned Dory’s impish grin with a scowl. The other woman’s sparkling blue eyes and dimpled cheeks soon had Rachel choking on a laugh.
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